Hearts Of Palm

A heart of palm is a delicate, white vegetable that comes from the heart or terminal bud of palm trees. In the United States the heart is harvested from the palmetto, which is a small palm tree found in the Southeastern part of the country.In Central and South America there are greater varieties of palms, each producing a heart with its own quality and taste. Harvesting the heart of palm often kills the plant, which makes it a delicacy and causes consternation amongst environmentalists. However, there are certain species of palm that yield many times over before the plant dies. They grow and regenerate quickly. To access the heart, the farmer strips the terminal bud of its tough exterior. This leaves a smooth, white flesh, which is layered and cylindrical in shape. These vegetables are bottled whole or cut into small pieces. They turn an ordinary salad into a culinary experience. They are also healthy. They contain no cholesterol or saturated fat, and are an excellent source of fiber a
Hearts Of Palm